DOCSLIB.ORG

07 Edwards 8

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
07 Edwards 8 THE CHRISTOLOGY OF TITUS 2:13 AND 1 TIMOTHY 2:5 J. Christopher Edwards Summary This article makes an acute observation about the strong similarities between Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. These similarities are significant because they suggest that it is not valid to translate Titus 2:13 as: ‘The glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.’ This traditional translation affirms Jesus’ deity by ascribing to him the title of θεός . 1. Introduction ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ µεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡµῶν ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Titus 2:13) Εἷς γὰρ θεός, εἷς καὶ µεσίτης θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἄνθρωπος Χριστὸς ᾿Ιησοῦς (1 Timothy 2:5) Titus 2:13 is one of the few passages in the New Testament that could explicitly affirm Jesus’ deity by ascribing to him the title of 1 θεός . The connection between ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός and θεός in Titus 2:13 is founded on the grammatical principle known as Granville Sharp’s rule. In this short study, I will briefly review this rule and the translational options it affords Titus 2:13. I will then examine the greater context of Titus 2:11-14 and the parallel context of 1 Timothy 2:1-7. These two passages have strong similarities, which is not surprising since the same author likely wrote Titus and 1 Timothy. 2 1 Also see, for example, Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1. 2 The argument of this short study rests on the widely held assumption that the same author wrote 1 Tim. and Titus. According to P. H. Towner, when the single authorship of the Pastorals is challenged, it is normally only to exclude 2 Tim. ( The Letters to Timothy and Titus [NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006]: 27). There are, however, some scholars who are attempting to revive an older argument that 1 Tim. and Titus 142 TYNDALE BULLETIN 62.1 (2011) Among these similarities are an emphasis on God’s universal salvation, an exhortation for godly living, and the influence of Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6-8. Perhaps the most important similarity is the dependence on a tradition that is similar to Mark 10:45. The dependence on this tradition is widely recognised. What is not widely recognised, however, is that directly preceding this tradition in both Titus and 1 Timothy is a statement including θεός plus ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός or Χριστὸς ᾿Ιησοῦς. In 1 Timothy 2:5 it is obvious that the noun θεός does not apply to Χριστὸς ᾿Ιησοῦς. Given all the similarities between Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7, we should come to the same conclusions regarding θεός and ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός in Titus 2:13. The purpose of this article is not to give an exhaustive account of the research surrounding the Christology of the Pastorals. Rather the purpose is to make an acute observation about the strong similarities between Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and then to note the significance of those similarities for the Christology of Titus 2:13. 2. The Grammatical Argument According to D. B. Wallace, Granville Sharp’s rule asserts that in an article-noun-καί -noun construction ‘the second noun refers to the same person mentioned with the first noun when: (1) neither is im personal; (2) neither is plural ; (3) neither is a proper name’.3 In other words, both nouns in Sharp’s construction have the same referent when they are personal, singular, and not proper. Wallace has made the strongest case for the validity of Sharp’s rule in Titus 2:13. 4 If Wallace is correct then the entire construction, τοῦ µεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡµῶν, must refer to the same person. 5 There are two possible translations of have different authors. For example, J. Herzer argues that the author of 1 Tim. is dependent on Titus and 2 Tim., which were written earlier by a different author, or different authors (‘Rearranging the “House of God”: A New Perspective on the Pastoral Epistles’ in Empsychoi Logoi – Religious Innovations in Antiquity: Studies in Honour of Pieter Willem van der Horst , ed. A. Houtman, A. de Jong, and M. Misset- van de Weg [AJEC 73; Leiden: Brill, 2008]: 547-66). 3 D. B. Wallace, Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996): 271-72 – Italics original. 4 D. B. Wallace, Granville Sharp’s Canon and Its Kin: Semantics and Significance (SBG 14; New York: Peter Lang, 2009): 241-64. I chose to interact with Wallace simply because his work represents the most recent and extensive treatment of Granville Sharp’s rule. 5 This depends on θεός not being a proper name. EDWARDS: Christology of Titus 2:13 143 Titus 2:13 in which the entire construction does refer to the same person. The first, which is preferred by Wallace, translates Titus 2:13 as: ‘The glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.’ In this translation the construction, τοῦ µεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ 6 σωτῆρος ἡµῶν, refers to Jesus Christ and explicitly affirms his deity. The second translation maintains Sharp’s rule, but does not identify Jesus with θεός . It translates Titus 2:13 as: ‘The appearance of the glory of our great God and saviour, Jesus Christ.’ In this translation the construction, τοῦ µεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡµῶν, refers to God (θεός ). ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός is seen to be in apposition to glory ( δόξα ), though glory is part of the entire phrase ‘the glory of our great God and saviour’.7 A final position believes that Granville Sharp’s rule does not apply to the construction in Titus 2:13, and the verse should be translated as: ‘The glorious appearing of the great God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ.’8 The purpose of the next section is to highlight an unnoticed line of contextual evidence that supports those who argue against identifying 6 In addition to Wallace, the other person typically cited in defence of this translation is M. J. Harris, ‘Titus 2:13 and the Deity of Christ’ in Pauline Studies: Essays Presented to Professor F. F. Bruce on His 70th Birthday , ed. D. A. Hagner and M. J. Harris (Exeter: Paternoster, 1980): 262-77; Jesus as God: The New Testament Use of Theos in Reference to Jesus (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992): 173-85. Also see A. Y. Lau, Manifest in Flesh: The Epiphany Christology of the Pastoral Epistles (WUNT 2/86; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1996): 243-50; G. W. Knight, The Pastoral Epistles (NIGTC; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992): 321-26; J. D. Quinn, The Letter to Titus (AB 35; New York: Doubleday, 1990): 155-56. 7 Those supporting this translation include G. Fee, Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-Theological Study (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2007): 440-46; Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus , 750-58. It is significant for this translation that Jesus is associated with the appearance of the grace of God in Titus 2:11. Jesus is also associated with the appearance of ‘ the kindness and the love of mankind of God our saviour’ ( ἡ χρηστότης καὶ ἡ φιλανθρωπία ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡµῶν θεοῦ) in Titus 3:4. Therefore, it should not be problematic for him to be associated with the appearance of the glory of our great God and saviour in Titus 2:13 (Jesus is closely associated with God’s glory elsewhere in Pauline literature [e.g. 2 Cor. 4:6]). However, Wallace argues that in Titus 2:13 the six words between δόξα and ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός create too great a distance for apposition ( Granville Sharp’s Canon , 257-58). This criticism can be dampened by asserting that the apposition in Titus 2:13 is between ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός and the whole phrase: ‘the glory of our great God and saviour’ (cf. Col. 2:2). 8 In support of this position, which is in the present minority, see M. Dibelius and H. Conzelmann, The Pastoral Epistles (Hermeneia; Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1972; tr. P. Buttolph and A. Yarbro): 143; L. Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003): 516 n. 69; F. Young, The Theology of The Pastoral Letters (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994): 53 n. 7. 144 TYNDALE BULLETIN 62.1 (2011) Jesus with θεός in Titus 2:13. This includes those who uphold Sharp’s rule, but see the construction, τοῦ µεγάλου θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡµῶν, as referring to God, not Jesus. It also includes those who do not apply Sharp’s rule in Titus 2:13. 3. The Contextual Argument The force of the argument in this section is grounded on the strong similarities between the same author’s statements in Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. These similarities include: (1) the universal extension of salvation; (2) the exhortation for godly living; (3) the influence of Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6-8; (4) the use of a tradition that is similar to Mark 10:45; (5) the introduction of the Mark 10:45 tradition with a reference to θεός plus ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός or Χριστὸς ᾿Ιησοῦς. Similarities one through three concern the greater contexts of Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. Similarities four and five address the tradition of which Titus 2:13 and 1 Timothy 2:5 are directly a part. It is important to note that similarities four and five are the most crucial ones for the argument, whereas similarities one through three are more supportive, so that if one does not agree with, for example, similarity number three (the common influence of Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6-8) then that does not undercut the overall argument.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Scripture) • Read the Scripture Assigned for That Day
    the study of TIMOTHY AND TITUS DISCIPLESHIPDISCIPLESHIP CULCULTURETURE Discipleship culture • the stuDy of 1ST timothy, 2ND timothy anD titus • 1 the study of the books of PETER DISCIPLESHIPDISCIPLESHIP CULCULTURETURE Discipleship Culture (DC) is a product of Jonathan Weibel, David Anderson, Andy Mylin and Centre Church • centrechurch.org. DC may be used, copied or reproduced without permission. For more information contact Jonathan Weibel • [email protected] or visit centrechurch.org to acquire other Discipleship Culture materials. Copyright © 2013 Centre Church Discipleship culture • the stuDy of 1ST timothy, 2ND timothy anD titus • 2 WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP CULTURE? DISCIPLESHIP Culture has discipleship in its DNA Last words are important and Matthew records the last words of Jesus as this: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 Jesus told His followers that they needed to go and make disciples of every nation. The call is no different today than it was 2,000 years ago. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten or even ignored Jesus’ call to make disciples. Discipleship should not be just a program one can join, but it should be deeply rooted in the believer and Church’s culture and fabric. DISCIPLESHIP Culture does not rely on “One on One” discipleship Greg Ogden in his book Discipleship Essentials says this, “The one-on-one sets up a teacher-student dynamic. The pressure is upon the discipler to be the answer person or the fountain of all wisdom and insight.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus & Philemon
    Notes & Outlines 1 TIMOTHY 2 TIMOTHY TITUS PHILEMON Dr. J. Vernon McGee PASTORAL EPISTLES The two letters to Timothy and the one to Titus are labeled Pastoral Epistles. The contents of the letters reveal the obvious reason for this. They were written by Paul to two of his young converts (1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4) who had followed him on many of his missionary jour- neys and whom he had established as pastors of churches at the time of the writing of these epistles. Although they were addressed by Paul to his young friends in the ministry, the message is for churches. He gave instructions for the orderly procedure of local and visible churches. These letters have a particular message to young pastors, and they have pertinent instructions for the present-day church. 1 TIMOTHY WRITER: Paul DATE: About A.D. 64 Probably Paul was released from prison at Rome between A.D. 64 and 67. If this is accurate, it was during this interval that he wrote this first letter to Timothy. He wrote to Titus at this same time. Some authorities think that Paul wrote from Macedonia. Apparently he had left Timothy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3), and he wrote this letter to encourage and assist him (1 Timothy 6:20). THEME: Government and order in the local church. This is in contrast to the Epistle to the Ephesians where the church is the body of Christ, the invisible church. Here it is a local assembly of believers organized for a common purpose. KEY VERSES: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.
    [Show full text]
  • The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus
    Titus 1:1 1 Titus 1:14 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TITUS 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowl- edging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
    [Show full text]
  • 1–2 TIMOTHY TITUS Editorial Consultants Athalya Brenner-Idan Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza
    1–2 TIMOTHY TITUS Editorial Consultants Athalya Brenner-Idan Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza Editorial Board Mary Ann Beavis Carol J. Dempsey Amy-Jill Levine Linda M. Maloney Ahida Pilarski Sarah Tanzer Lauress Wilkins Lawrence Seung Ai Yang WISDOM COMMENTARY Volume 53 1–2 Timothy Titus Annette Bourland Huizenga Sarah Tanzer Volume Editor Barbara E. Reid, OP General Editor A Michael Glazier Book LITURGICAL PRESS Collegeville, Minnesota www.litpress.org A Michael Glazier Book published by Liturgical Press Cover design by Ann Blattner. Chapter Letter ‘W’, Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 4, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. © 2016 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, mi- crofiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America. 123456789 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Huizenga, Annette Bourland, author. Title: 1–2 Timothy, Titus / Annette Bourland Huizenga ; Sarah Tanzer, volume editor ; Barbara E. Reid, OP, general editor. Other titles: Titus Description: Collegeville, Minnesota : LITURGICAL PRESS, 2016.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Titus 2 Mandate and How It Has Been Exemplified in The
    A STUDY OF THE TITUS 2 MANDATE 3 Abstract This thesis seeks to provide an in depth study of the Titus 2 Mandate and explain how the Mandate should be applied to our lives today. An overview of the book of Titus is given, as well as a study on Titus 2. How Titus 2 was modeled through the lives of women in the Bible, as well as how it was exemplified through women in Church history is also explained. It is important for Christian young women to understand their Biblical roles; this thesis seeks to provide clarity and a greater knowledge of what those roles are and how they should be implemented. A STUDY OF THE TITUS 2 MANDATE 4 A Study of the Titus 2 Mandate and How It Has Been Exemplified in the Lives of Women For Christian women living in the twenty-first century, amidst many feminist views, one may wonder, what is their Biblical role and what does the Lord desire of them personally? While the Bible contains many commands that Christ gives his disciples, this study will focus on the Titus 2 mandate. The purpose of this thesis is to study the Titus 2:3-5 passage and research Biblical examples of women who have exemplified the principles found in this passage. The thesis will conclude with how women today can apply this mandate to their own lives. When we become doers of the Word and not hearers only, (James 1:22) we will see transformation in our own life and the lives of others.
    [Show full text]
  • The Epistle to Titus
    The Epistle To Titus Sermon Outlines This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God Be The Glory! Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2006 Mark A. Copeland The Epistle To Titus Table Of Contents Introduction To The Epistle (1:1-4) 3 Elders And Their Qualifications (1:5-9) 7 Those Who Resist Authority (1:10-16) 10 Sound Doctrine For Older Men (2:1-2) 13 Sound Doctrine For Older Women (2:3-4) 16 Sound Doctrine For Young Women (2:4-5) 19 Sound Doctrine For Young Men (2:6-8) 22 Adorning The Doctrine Of God (2:9-10) 25 The Grace Of God That Brings Salvation (2:11-15) 28 Graces Of The Heirs Of Grace (3:1-2) 31 The Power Of God’s Kindness And Love (3:3-7) 33 Profitable And Unprofitable (3:8-11) 35 Finis And Farewell (3:12-15) 37 Sermons From Titus 2 Mark A. Copeland Introduction To The Epistle Titus 1:1-4 INTRODUCTION 1. As the apostles of Christ fulfilled their ministry, it lead to the creation of churches... a. Initially established by the preaching of the gospel - cf. Ac 14:1-21 b. Further established by following up - cf.
    [Show full text]
  • Titus 2:1-5 the Younger Women
    TITUS 2:1-5 THE YOUNGER WOMEN “As for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”1 orth American churches have trended toward specialised ministries for many years. Often, these ministries have found their genesis in current social trends leading the N churches into areas that are impossible to justify with what has been written in the Word. Often, the ministries developed have dramatically altered the concept of the congregation, the novel face of the assembly often rendering as unrecognisable the New Testament church. One major factor in this descent into irrelevance is a failure of sound instruction from the pulpit. In some measure, this failure has been driven by the demands of unconverted church members who are convinced that the services of the congregation should be adjusted to satisfy their lust for entertainment. Tragically, church goers have become either incapable of thinking deeply or they are now unwilling to confront their own froward attitudes. ORTHODOXY MUST LEAD TO ORTHOPRAXY — “Teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
    [Show full text]
  • Tychicus – the Encourager a Small Character with Big Character Colossians 4:7-9
    Tychicus The Encourager Bro. Wan Wei Yew 11th November 2018 | 11am @ ZGM Tychicus – The Encourager A Small Character with Big Character Colossians 4:7-9 Who was Tychicus • Tychicus • Tye-Chee-Kus • Tee-Chee-Kus • Too-Khee-Kos • Tychicus • Fortuitous = Fated to be fortunate; lucky • Tychicus • Ephesians, Colossians, Acts, Titus, 2 Timothy Ephesians 6:21-22 Final Greetings 21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. Colossians 4:7-9 Final Greetings 7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servantb in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Acts 20:1-6 Paul in Macedonia and Greece 1After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jewsa as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
    [Show full text]
  • Titus 2, Women Leadership
    Titus 2:3-5 (Joel 2:28-32, Quoted in Acts2:17-21) Rediscovering Church Polity As An Essential Element of the Gospel: Part 3: Women Leadership Unedited sermon notes not for distribution Introduction: • Today we address the issue of women leadership in the church— now to be clear, this is NOT just a sermon for women… it is for the whole church in so far as we are all blessed in so far as we are organized upon the biblical foundation with Christ as the cornerstone. To do this—we must first off reject out of hand the rationalistic arguments of modernity… WE will reject “slippery slope” and “by association” kinds of arguments that create false litmus tests. We will attempt, with the church over the course of 2000 years, to interpret scripture such as to allow for its sometimes difficult nuances and antinomies. 1st-- It will be my intention to clarify and extoll the great extents to which women are called to lead in the church as envisioned by God in scripture (egalitarian view)—I suspect that in the populist driving context of modernity and its resulting “political” (either-or) manner of discourse, that some who have wanted to preserve Christian orthodoxy have gone too far in so far as limiting women in leadership… if compared to scripture.. (modified egalitarian view) 2nd—it will be my intention to clarify the Biblical principle of male headship as a dramatic role play institutionalized at creation for redemptive purposes and to be maintained within the home and the church… as a mediatorial means of grace that directs us to Christ and the church.
    [Show full text]
  • The Epistle to Titus
    a Grace Notes Bible Study The Epistle to Titus by Warren Doud Grace Notes 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Email: [email protected] Epistle to Titus Table of Contents TITUS “PREVIEW” ................................................................................................................. 5 Introduction to the Study of Titus ........................................................................................................ 5 Titus, Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................................... 6 Titus 1:1 .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Titus 1:2 .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Titus 1:3 ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Titus 1:4 ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Titus 1:5 ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Titus 1:6 ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Titus 1:7 ...........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Titus 2:11-15 Sermon
    Titus 2:11-15 sermon My preaching text this morning is one of the two passages that I encouraged you to consider memorizing and that are on the laminated cards that are still available in the back of the room. And so as we begin I’d like to encourage you to stand and read, in unison, this powerful passage. Read Titus 2:11-15 together You may be seated This power packed passage begins with the word “For”. Paul often uses this word as the reason for what he’s just said. For instance in Philippians 2:12-13 where he begins with “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, and then adds the reason to do that with “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” .And as I’ve shared the past couple of weeks, what precedes this is Paul’s instructions to Titus on how to respond to the false teachers who have crept into the churches on this island of Crete. Paul notes that their false teachings have led many to believe false teachings about Jesus and how they should live their lives. And apparently those believing and following these false teachers are not only believing lies but are also living lifestyles that are not consistent with what it looks like to be a follower of Christ. And so, in response to that Paul launches detailed description of what it should look like to live a Christian lifestyle. And in this section, Paul specifically addresses 5 groups of people: older men mentoring younger men, older women mentoring younger women and slaves (or for us “employees”).
    [Show full text]
  • And a Certain Jew Named Apollos, Born at Alexandria, an Eloquent Man, and Mighty in the Scriptures, Came to Ephesus
    A LOOK AT APOLLOS TEXT: “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:24-28). Purpose: To help us learn some important things from this account of Apollos. Introduction.: 1) Relate text. 2) Apollos is mentioned by name ten times in the Bible. (1) Mentioned in connection with Corinth. (a) “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1Corinthians 1:12). (b) “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1Corinthians 3:4-6). c) “ If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” (1Corinthians 16:22).
    [Show full text]